Last weekend while my friend Rem and I are having coffee, we suddenly longed for a quick beach getaway. Then we started to reminisce (and laughed hard about our college days memories) in Puerto Galera. And whola - this trip was born! We hurriedly went home, did a little research, packed our things, and off we go to the bus station! (natutuloy talaga ang mga biglaang lakad..)

It's been ages since my feet first touched the sands of Puerto Galera. After I saw better beaches, I never imagined I will go back here. But since the location is very convenient, it remains to be a good option. Luckily, there are some beaches that I haven't explored yet. White Beach is the most famous, but we settled for Talipanan. This is located in the end of White Beach - Tamaraw Beach - and Talipanan stretch..

From Buedia, we took a bus bound to Batangas Pier. Fare is P100 (may promo daw, amazing!). Travel time is 2 hours. From Batangas Port, boat ride is P300 for Talipanan Beach. Travel time is 1 hour.

hello again, Puerto Galera

First stop was the White Beach. This is the most famous beach in Puerto Galera.

"famous' is synonymous to "crowded"

this used to be the beach I enjoyed the most

2nd stop was Tamaraw Beach. This place was more quiet. Less crowd and less establishments are here. I would consider this beach in the future.

white beach and tamaraw beach are close enoughdi mo lang pwede lakarin kasi may mga bato in between

Tamaraw Beach

this Sunset Resort looks luxuriousmodel - fresh from the US

And finally, Talipanan Beach. I think among the 3, this is the most private.

After a very satisfying meal, we started to look around for our accommodation. We didn't make reservations in advance. I wanted to check out the rooms first, and try haggling.

interesting bar ^_^

We inquired a room in Luca's, but the only available are the fan rooms. No no no.Then we reached El Canonero. It was fully booked. And finally, we reached Bamboo House Beach Resort. Aircon room for 3 persons(yes, Rem and I were with another friend. ayaw nya lang mag-appear sa blog) was P1,800. I asked the attendant if we could have it for P1,500. Pwede daw! Instant P300 savings!

Bamboo House, Talipanan, Puerto Galera

aircon room for 3, with fan, with hot shower - P1,500

Now how would you like to have a view like this?

unobstructed beach front view

After resting, we decided to stroll the area. The beach may not be very fabulous, but it was okay. The sand is not very fine too. But since we knew what to expect, we didn't get disappointed at all. The fact that this place is not crowded already made this place enjoyable.

Puerto Galera, the quiet version

Pictorial galore. Just like in our younger years. Haha

unico hijo ni mader Clarita

against the light effect sometimes works! ♥

naka SPF 100 sunblock kami! ^_^seriously

The sun was really unforgiving. We decided to just stay in Luca's again to have some refreshments. Catch up talk until the sunset.

As for me, I decided to jump from the cliff. I thought it wouldnt be scary, but it really was. Takot pala ako mabagok..

ang effort at risky umakyat dito

kinabahan ako i swear! haha!

scary but it was awesome ^_^

We enjoyed this trip as much as we expected. This trip could be cheaper too only if we didn't eat at Luca's all the time. Haha! Thanks Remay for sponsoring our dinner!

Btw, there are no boats from Talipanan back to Batangas Pier. A shuttle picked us up in Talipanan, and drove us to White Beach. And from there, we sailed back to Batangas Pier. It's best to book your tickets a day before you leave Puerto Galera.

After 15 months of working in Chicago, my very dear friend Rem finally got back! He ended our friendship when I didnt even see him on the day of his flight. Haha! I know it's my fault. I was in Mt.Pulag or Camiguin last year when he flew to the US. Inaaway na ko ng mga kaibigan ko dahil di na nila ako mahagilap. Sensha na!

Anyway, it's glad to have him back. Since Rem asked me what's new here in Manila, I answered him Vikings. It's very convenient for me because Vikings is only 10 cartwheels away from our office building. But since I have read so many bad feedbacks and negative reviews, I was very hesitant to try Vikings myself as it could be a waste of money.

Vikings Luxury Buffet @ MoAwelcome home my friend

I made a last-minute-reservation and luckily there's a slot. Weekend buffet rate is P888++ per person.The place is new, interior is nice, and the ambiance is relaxed. There's not much people inside too. For the restaurant's location, well, not very strategic. It's a very very long walk from Mall of Asia itself. Facing the bay, it's located in the right most side of San Miguel by the Bay.

Vikings buffet table

Food Porn|Vikings Luxury Buffet @ MoA

appetizers

pasta stationyou just need to give your table number, and your pasta will be delivered to you

pizza and calzonejust ok

beef lasagna

it's good, i like it!

sashimi

maki variationshhmm just ok, nothing fancy

tempurai never had a hard time getting some, the staff refilled them from time to time

Why I always eat pasta first? Simply because I like it that way. I will lose my appetite if I'll start with the wrong dishes. So better yet, start with my comfort food. I dont care about that how-to-eat-everything-in-a-buffet strategy. They have their own rules, and Ive got mine. Ü

The food may not be outstanding, but we were satisfied enough. I cant really brag it's masarap, but it's not right to say the food was hindi masarap lahat either.

What I valued most was - the waiters are so attentive to refill our drinks. We dont have to stand up and go the juice station. And we even requested for some watermelon and mango shakes - all granted!

dessert galore

white chocolate cake, black forest, revel bar

pana cotta and mousse

chocolate fountain, fruits, and mallows

local favorites

halo-halo, mais con yelo, and saging con yelo

Surprisingly, some of the items are good enough!

crème brûlée and white chocolate cake are yummy

everything yellow

avocado ice creamcreamy

And of course, how can we miss the yogurt station?

sana may ganito sa ofis! hehe

the yogurt is not the best in town, pero pwede!

yogurt with almonds and walnuts - pwedeng pwede!

revel bar and white choco cake are yummy

Overall, it wasn't that bad at all. But again, it's not the best either. The food selection against the price is just right for this kind of buffet. Grilled stuff can be improved. Plus point is the staff. I really felt they are trying to please. IMO, if they could have just dropped that "luxury" branding they made, they would surely receive more compliments. I think people are expecting too much because of this luxury thingy.